Non-arcing commutating-switch device



L. PAULERO.

NON-ARCING COMMUTATING SWITCH DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 22. I915. RENEWED sEPTKZO, 1919.

1,362,349. Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR [00/5 594 2 71 0, i' BY a jjw M A TTOR/VEYS UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS PAULERO, OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, ,ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN ELECTRIC TOOL COMPANY, INCORPORATED, OF PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF VIRGINIA.

NONAROING COMMU'IATING-SWITCH DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

Application filed July 22, 1915, Serial No. 41,399. Renewed September 20, 1919. Serial No. 325,154.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LoUIs PAULERO, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of letersburg, in the county of Dinwiddie and State of Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Non-Arcing Commutating-Switch Devices, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in means for generating and transmitting electric current to electric reciprocating hammers and analogous devices. An object of the invention is to provide a novel, simple and eflicient commutating switch device for operating electric reciprocating hammers, wherein the commutating switch is arranged and operated with relation to the operation of the armature shaft of the generator or motor so that it will provide an arcless breaking of the circuit or circuits controlled thereby; and so that, when the circuits are' made and broken in alternate succession for supplying current to two solenoid coils that move a hammer plunger in opposite directions the respective coils will be energized with impulses of opposite direction to neutralize residual magnetism that might tend to cause the plunger to stick to the work.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel and. effective means to prevent any material fall i'n voltage when the load is put on the generator, such as when an additional hammer or hammers or other devices are cut into the circuit. 7

With the above and related objects in view, my invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view, showing the commutating switch mounted on the shaft of a standard machine,

Fig. 2 is a detail view, showing the switch mounted on the shaft of the armature of the ordinary drum wound type,

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig.

2, looking in the direction of the arrows ad-' jacent to the line,

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of the switch,

is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 7 is a similar view of a modified.

method of winding of the generator or motor.

The present invention is designed to eliminate arcing at the brush in electric hammers, and to provide a switch requiring no more attention than the commutator of a motor, and which will be as long lived as the machine upon which it is mounted.

Vith this object in view, I make use of a specially constructed commutator, consisting of a collecting ring and a distributing ring, consisting of two segments, and forming a continuous ring surface, one of the segments being dead, and the other segment, which is the distributing segment, being insulated from the dead segment, the dead segment being used merely as a support for the brushes in order to permit the use of ordinary carbon brushes instead of flat metal or copper brushes.

here a generator is used, the specially constructed commutator is mounted on the armature shaft, and each ring is connected to diametrically opposite segment bars of the regular commutator of the armature, thus dividing the generator commutator in exact halves, one half being connected to the solid collecting ring and the other half to the distributing segment. By this means I ob tain a self-exciting single phase alternating current generator, which is capable of furnishing the magnetizing current for the hammer and direct current for exciting the generator fields and also direct current for other purposes. In other words, this generator is capable of supplying a single phase alternating current and a direct current at the ame time. The alternating current impulse is produced each time that the two halves of the armature come under the pole pieces of the generator.

In order to maintain the proper voltage in the magnetizing circuits, that is, to prevent the voltage from dropping whenever the load is put on the machine, I have provided the generator with two sets of series coils passed before reaching the hammer.

through which the magnetizing current is These series coil are so connected that each set has no electrical connection with the other, and the current is passed through each set alternately. Each set of series coils is so wound and connected that they operate in addition to the shunt coils to build up the field. As the magnetizing current for the hammer is a single phase alternating current, each alternate wave is of opposite polarity, and consequently the series field coils will be wound in opposite directions, in order to produce the same magnetizing field on the pole pieces of the generator.

This generator can, of course, be driven by any convenient means but where only alternating current is available for operating electrical machines, I connect an ordinary alternating current motor direct to the shaft of the generator, making up a set known as a motor-generator and connect the motor end to the lines supplying the power, thus providing a convenient machine for operating electric hammers.

Vhere direct current is available I make use of an ordinary electric motor of the shunt wound type, with the special commutator switch mounted on its armature shaft in exactly the same manner as in my generator. This motor can be used with or without the compounding field coils mentioned above for the generator. Since the shunt winding of the motor is connected in parallel with the armature brushes which are connected to the line wires furnishing direct current, every time the two segments or bars of the commutator, to which are connected the rings of the special commutator switch, come under the brushes, at that instant, the commutator switch is in parallel with the line wires and the full force of the line current can pass to the hammer circuit in the form of an impulse or wave which risesand falls in exactly the same manner as the waves of a single phase alternating current as the connected bars pass from under .the brushes.

Referring to Fig. 6, showing the method of arranging the circuits, the armature 1 has mounted upon the shaft thereof a standard commutator or collector ring 2, and the improved commutator switch is shown as mounted on the same shaft adjacent to the ring 2. This switch consists of a continuous ring 3, and a ring composed of segments 4 and 5.

Brushes 6 and 7 cooperate with the commutator 2 and a brush 8 cooperates with the ring 3. Other brushes 9 and 10- cooperate with the ring 4--5, and it will be understood that the segment 4.- of the ring 4 5 is the dead segment above'referred to.

The shunt coils 11 of the generator field are connected to the brushes 6 and 7 by wireswhich are directly opposite each other, and

the wire 15 isconnected to the ring 3 of the commutator swltch, while the wire 16 1s connected to the segment 5.

The hammer 17 is operated by coils 18 and 19, and a wire 20 connects the coil 18 with the series windings 14, and a wire 21 connects the coil 19 with the series windings 13. The coils 18 and 19 are connected to a wire 22, which in turn is connected to the brush 8 of the ring Referring to the above diagram the operation is as follows: when operated as a generator and with the pole 1 of the armature in the position shown, that is, when the corresponding armature bars 15 and 16 are directly beneath the brushes 6 and 7 respectively. The current will now pass by way of the wire 16 to the segment 5, and by 9 way of the brush 10 and the wire 14 to the winding 14 and from thence by way of the wire 20 to and through the coil 18, moving the plunger 17 into the coil 18.

The current will return from the winding 18 by way of the wire 22 and the brush 8 to the ring 3, and from thence by way of the wire 15 to the armature coil, thus completing the circuit. This action will thus supply a current wave of one polarity which may be assumed to be positive in this instance.

lVhen now the armature is turned a half revolution so that the position of the coil. 1

and the commutator bars 15 and 16 is reversed under the pole pieces of the machine, an alternating current impulse of opposite direction is generated. The bar 15 will now be under the brush 7, and the bar 16 will be under the brush 6. On the commutator switch, the segment 5 will now be under the brush 9, causing the circuit connected to the brush 10 to be dead, therefore, de'energizing the hammer coil 18.-

The current will now pass through the brush 8 and the wire22 to the solenoid coil 19, thence by way of the wire 21, the coils 13 and the wire 13 to the brush 9, andthence by way of the wire 16 to the armature coil. The winding 19 will be energized and will move the hammer in that direction. The impulse which energizes the coil 19 is however, of opposite polarity from that which has just energized the coil 18, and at the beginning'of the impulse any residual magnetism that may remain in the hammer operate the electric hammers successfully,

must bebuilt with two field poles and with the simple drum wound armature, so that the standard machine: on the market of the bi-polar type may be easily changed and adapted to switch.

Where direct current is available I use a motor instead of a' generator for operating the hammer. This motor is built in precisely the same manner as the generator, the two machines being in fact identical in construction. The motor isof the ordinary shunt wound type, and the commutating switch is mounted on its shaft in the same manner as shown in Fi 1 and 2.

Referring to Fig. 6, t e linewires designated, at 23 and 24 are connected to the brushes 6 and 7 by wires 25 and 26, respecuse the special commutating tively', and precisely the same result is obtained as in the generator, that is, the same kind of current impulses are obtained every time the particular armature coil connected to the commutating switch, as shown and described for the generator, comes under the brushes 6 and 7 of the standard commutator.

Referring to- Fig. 1, which shows the commutatin switch connected or mounted on the shai t 27 of a standard machine 28,'the said shaft is bored out and the wires 15 and 16 are passed out through the shaft to their connection with the ring 3 and the segment 5, and the said wires are insulated a's'slirown.

Ref jrring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that the wire 15 passes through an eccentric opening in the segment 4, which is the dead segment and is insulated therefrom by an insulating sleeve 29. r The collector ring 3 and the segments 4 and 5 are mounted on a sIeeveSO', provided at one end with a marginal "rib 31 and having the other end threaded, and the rings 3 and 45 are insulated from the sleeve by an insulating sleeve 32. This sleeve hasga marginal flan e or washer 33 at its inner. end between tfie ring 3 and the rib 31, and the two rings 3 and 45 are separated and insulated from each other by a metal spacing washer 34, and insulating washers 35. The washer 34 is arranged between the rings 3 and 45, being seated on the sleeve 32, and the washers 35 are arranged on opposite sides of the ring 34. Another washer 36 is arranged at the outer side of the ring 4-5, and a nut 37 is threaded on to the outer end of the sleeve 30 to hold the parts in place.

Referring to Fig. 5, it will be seen that the segments 45 are insulated from each other by insulating plates 38, the said plates being arranged on opposite sides of the sleeve 30. The sleeve 30 is held on the armature shaft 27 by means of a set screw 39, which is threaded through the rib 33 and the sleeve into engagement with the shaft.

The same mechanism is shown in Fi 2 and 3, arranged on the armature shat 40 of the ordinary drum wound type 41. The usual collecting ring 2 has diametrically op posite segments 15 and 16, connected by the Wires 15 and 16*, with the segments 4 and 5, and the said wires are passed through the bored out shaft. The sleeve 30 is held on the shaft by the set screw 39 in the same manner as it is. held on the shaft 27.

= While the improved arrangement is especially designed for operating hammers, it is obvious that it could be used for other purposes requiring a pulsating current.

It should be borne in mind that between the impulses of current there is absolutely no current on the hammer circuit, each impulse being separate, independent and distinct from the other.

The commutating switch is so mounted upon the shaft that the end of the segment 5 will leave the brushes 9 and 10 in alternate succession at moments when there is no current or when current is at what is termed the zero point, so that when the segment 5 passes from under each brush there is no arcing of any character.

In, Fig. 7 is shown a modification of the invention, wherein the two sets of series .or compounding coils 13 and 14 are mounted on a set of commutating poles 42, and the shunt field coils 11 are separately mounted as shown.

Vith the construction shown, it will be seen that at each half revolution of the armature there is'an impulse of current of posi tive and negative polarity given alternately, making two impulses of' electrical current at each complete rotation of the armature and causing the hammer or hammers to deliver ablow at each rotation of the armaturel Hence it will be evident that the plunger of the-hammer oscillating in syn chronism with the alternating current impulses of the armature will deliver the same number of blows, the number of blows struck by thehammer being dependent upon the number of revolutions the armature is turning per minute.

I claim 1. In an electric hammer, the combination with coaxial solenoid coils for moving the hammer in opposite directions, and a dynamo electric machine for supplying current tothe coils, a switch for supplying the coils in alternation with electrical impulses of opposite direction, said switch comprising acollecting ring, a brush cooperating with the ring,.to which the adj acent terminals of the solenoid coils are connected, a distributing segment, a pair of op positely arranged brushes cotiperating with the segment and connected to the remote terminals of the solenoid coils, said ring and segment being mounted on the armature shaft and insulated therefrom and from each other and connected to opposite bars of the commutator, and a dead segmentcooperating with the distributing segment and forming a continuous surface for supporting the brushes, and a series winding interposed between each of the brushes of the distributing segment and the coil connected therewith, said winding being within the field of the dynamo electric machine.

2. In an electric hammer circuit, the combination with a dynamo electric machine and coaxial coils for the hammer, a common return wire connected to the adjacent terminals of the coils and conducting wires connected to the remote terminals of the coils, a switch for supplying the coils in alternation with electrical impulses of opposite direction, said switch comprising a collecting ring, a. brush cooperatingtherewith and connected to the return wire, a distributing segment, said segment and ring being mounted on the armature shaft and insulated therefrom and from each other, and connected to opposite points of the winding of said dynamo electric machine,

oppositely arranged brushes cooperating with the segment, each brush being connected to one .of the conducting wires, a dead segment cooperating with the distributing segment and forming a continuous surface therewith for supporting the brushes, and a series winding within the field of the dynamo electric machine interposed in each of the conducting wires.

3. In combination with a generator having a main field winding and an electric hammer having two circuits adapted to carry impulses in opposite directions and to be made and brokenalternately, of a series winding for each circuit supplementing the main field winding of the generator, and means for alternately making and breaking the said circuits, said series windings being -wound in opposite directions for the purpose specified.

41 111 combination with a generator having a main field winding and an electric hammer having two circuits adapted to carry impulses in opposite directions and'to be made and broken alternately, of'a series winding for each circuit supplementing the main field winding of the generator, and means for alternately making and breaking the said circuits.

5. In an electric hammer circuit, the combination with a generator having a main field winding and coaxial coils for the .ham-

mer, a return wire connected to the adjacent terminals of the coils, and serieswindings supplementing the main ,field winding connected with the remote terminals of the reassescoils, a switch arranged between the said windings and the return wire for supplying the coils of the hammer with electrical impulses in opposite directions in alternation, the series windings being oppositely wound.

6. In an electric hammer circuit, the combination with a generator havinga main field winding and coaxial coils for the hammer, a return wire connected to the adjacent terminals of the coils, and series windings supplementing the main field winding connected with the remote terminals of the coils, and a switch arranged between the said windings and the return wire for supplying the coils of the hammer with electrical impulses in opposite directions in alternation.

7. In combination with a dynamo electric machine, a solenoid coil, a switch for supplying currentto the coil, said switch comprising a collecting ring, a brush cooperating with the ring and connected to one terminal of said coil, a distributing segment, a brush cooperating with said segment and connected to the other terminal of said coil, said ring and said segment being mounted on the armature shaft of said machine and insulated therefrom and from each other and connected to opposite ends of the armature of said machine, thereby completing a circuit for said coil, a dead segment cooperating with the distributing segment and forming a continuous surface for supporting the second named brush, and a series winding within the field of said machine and included in said circuit.

8. In combination with a dynamo electrictranslating device,--and also including a series exciting winding of said machine, and

means for opening and closing said circuit,

said means closing said circuit at an appreciable later time than the opening thereof and being timed relatively to the movement of the armature to open said circuit when the armature E. M. F. is zero.

9. In combination with a dynamo electric machine having an armature provided with taps connected to opposite ends of an armature winding, an electric circuit extending from one of-said taps and returning to the other of said taps, said circuit including a translating device, and also including a se: ries exciting winding of said machine, and means for impressing a pulsating E. M. F. upon said circuit comprising opening and closing devices for said circuit timed relatively to the movement of the armature to open said circuit when the armature E. M. F. is zero.

10. In combination with a dynamo electric machine having an armature rovided with taps connected to opposite en s of an armature winding, an electric circuit extending from one of said taps and returning to the other of said taps, said circuit including a translating device, and also including a series exciting winding of said machine, and means for opening and closing said circuit at different zero points on the E. M. F. wave.

11. In combination with a dynamo electric machine having an armature provided with taps connected to opposite ends of an armature winding, an electric circuit extending from one of said taps and returning to the other of said taps, said circuit including a translating device, and also including a series exciting winding of said machine, and means including contact elements carried by the armature shaft of said machine and brushes coiiperating with said elements for opening and closing said circuit, said means closing said circuit at an appreciable later time than the opening thereof and being timed relatively to the movement of the armature to open said circuit at a zero point on the E. M. F. wave.

12. In combination with a dynamo electric machine having an armature provided with taps connected to opposite ends of an armature winding, an electric circuit extending from one of said taps and returning to the other of said taps, said circuit including a translating device and also including a series exciting winding of said machine, a second electric circuit extending from one of said taps and returning to the other of said taps, said-second circuit including a translating device and also including a series exciting winding of said machine, means for opening and closing said circuits in 

